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Science News Archive April 2014


Page 23 of 32

Medication therapy management works for some but not all home health patients

A study led by Purdue University found that medication therapy management by phone reduced hospitalizations by 86% in low-risk Medicare patients, who were three times less likely to be hospitalized. However, the intervention had no significant impact on higher-risk patients, highlighting the need for tailored strategies.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

DNA data could help doctors treat MRSA shows new study

A new technique predicts MRSA toxicity from its genome sequence, allowing clinicians to personalize treatment for individual infections. The study identified 125 genetic mutations associated with high or low toxicity, enabling the prediction of severe disease.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Tiny step edges, big step for surface science

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have discovered that tiny step edges on titanium oxide surfaces enable the accumulation of electrons, allowing oxygen atoms to attach more strongly. This finding offers opportunities for creating more efficient solar cells and catalysts.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Toward a faster, more accurate way to diagnose stroke

Scientists have developed a device that can process whole blood and isolate genetic material for two potential biomarkers within minutes. This rapid detection method could help determine the course of proper treatment, potentially saving lives.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

China looks to science and technology to fuel its economy

China is leveraging strategic investments in research and development and cross-border collaboration to establish a stronger domestic innovation system. The country's returnee scientists and engineers are playing a catalytic role in improving its research and development infrastructure.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Water users can reduce the risk of spreading invasive species

A study found that anglers and canoeists are key pathways for invasive species introduction into UK waterways. The research highlights the importance of 'Check, Clean, Dry' practices to prevent further spread. By following these simple steps, water users can help protect native ecosystems.

One kind of supersymmetry shown to emerge naturally

UCSB physicist Tarun Grover has provided mathematical evidence for supersymmetry in a topological superconductor. The research, conducted with colleagues Donna Sheng and Ashvin Vishwanath, appears in the journal Science. Supersymmetry describes a unique relationship between particles, with fermions having boson superpartners.

Butterfly larvae mimic queen ant to avoid detection

Parasitic butterfly larvae may use acoustic signals to infiltrate ant colonies, according to a study published in PLOS ONE. The larvae's sound patterns were found to be more similar to those of the queen ant than worker ants, suggesting a potential strategy for infiltration and exploitation.

UC-led research finds chips with olestra cause body toxins to dip

A clinical trial by UC researchers found that consuming chips with olestra reduces serum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels in people exposed to PCBs. Olestra's effect on PCB removal is attributed to solubilizing fat-soluble compounds in the intestine, reducing absorption of these compounds into the body.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New drug offers hope for devastating childhood disease

Scientists at the University of Bristol have received funding to test a powerful new drug, NLX-101, which selectively targets serotonin receptors in the brain. The goal is to alleviate the distressing breathing abnormality associated with Rett syndrome, a condition affecting 1 in 10,000 female births worldwide.

Can animals really help people in hospitals, aged care?

A worldwide review of studies on animal interventions in healthcare settings for children found a major gap in scientific knowledge. Despite theories emerging since the 1960s, research has been limited, leaving many questions unanswered.

Location matters when it comes to deal-making, says new study

A new study using the U.S. Senate Chamber as its laboratory found that co-sponsorship of bills is more likely to come from those sitting near each other, highlighting the importance of location in deal-making. The study's findings also showed that more senior senators rely on personal connections rather than their location for support.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

What songbirds tell us about how we learn

Researchers have identified the basal ganglia as a key brain region involved in vocal learning and variability across species. By studying songbirds, they found that this area is responsible for generating variability to aid in learning and performance.

Are Southern death-row inmates more polite?

A new study published in SAGE Open found that Southern death-row offenders are more likely to apologize for their crimes, with two times the frequency of non-Southerners. However, the degree of remorse shown by Southerners and non-Southerners did not differ.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Painkillers linked to heightened irregular heartbeat risk in older adults

A large population study found that current and recent use of painkillers/anti-inflammatories is linked to a heightened risk of atrial fibrillation among older adults. Over half of the study participants developed atrial fibrillation during the monitoring period, with those currently taking NSAIDs facing an 84% greater risk.

How coughs and sneezes float farther than you think

A new study by MIT researchers reveals that coughs and sneezes create a multiphase turbulent buoyant cloud that extends the range of infectious droplets. Smaller droplets can travel up to 200 times farther than previously estimated, while larger droplets fall out, allowing smaller drops to be resuspended by gas clouds.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

New epidemiology model combines multiple genomic data

A new epidemiology model developed by Brown University researcher Yen-Tsung Huang integrates genomic data from SNPs, gene expression, and methylation to find significant associations with diseases like asthma and brain cancer. The model improves performance and validity across different subjects, paving the way for further applications.

Breakthrough therapy allows 4 paraplegic men to voluntarily move their legs

A groundbreaking study has enabled four paraplegic men to regain voluntary movement in their legs through epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. The therapy, which mimics brain signals to initiate movement, demonstrates the potential for functional recovery even years after severe spinal cord injuries.

Graphic photos on tobacco packs save lives: WHO report

A new WHO report shows that large, graphic health warnings on tobacco packets in China would significantly increase awareness about the harms of smoking, help reduce smoking rates, and ultimately save lives. The report recommends improving current text-only Chinese health warnings by adding images of tobacco-related diseases.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Efficient operation of wastewater treatment plants

Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf develop sophisticated measuring sensors to improve biological treatment stages. The sensors help determine the dynamic of flow and inform treatment plants on optimal mixing strength.

More insights from tissue samples

A team of researchers has demonstrated the advantages of the HOPE fixation strategy, which preserves tissue structure while allowing modern analysis techniques like proteomics and phospho-proteomics. This breakthrough enables personalized medicine and opens up new opportunities for disease research and therapy.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Poor neighborhoods create misfortune, ill health

Residents of poorer Chicago neighborhoods face more life-changing negative events and experience a range of serious health issues due to the complex interplay between traumatic events and lack of resources. The study's findings highlight the need for addressing poverty and providing support for vulnerable populations.

Global health funding reaches new high as funding priorities shift

Global health funding reached an all-time high of $31.3 billion in 2013, driven by increased support for maternal and child health. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to receive relatively little development assistance, despite being a major burden in the developing world.

Expanding particles to engineer defects

Adding an impurity to a two-dimensional lattice structure can create defects that settle into harmony, restoring order and creating a 'screen' to protect the rest of the material. This finding could lead to new ways of engineering materials with unique properties.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Language structure ... you're born with it

Researchers found that infants as young as a few months old can distinguish between word-like and non-word-like sounds, indicating a fundamental knowledge of language. This discovery challenges the traditional view that language is shaped by environment and experience.

Breast cancer cell subpopulation cooperation can spur tumor growth

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that breast cancer cell subpopulation cooperation can lead to increased tumor growth. The study discovered that two distinct subclones within mammary tumors relied on each other to expand, with one producing a protein called Wnt1 that promoted tumor growth.

Synthetic gene circuits pump up cell signals

Researchers at Rice University have designed a sophisticated synthetic genetic circuit that signals increases in the degradation of proteins by the cell's ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). The Deg-On circuit produces a green fluorescent signal linked to UPS degradation, allowing researchers to monitor proteasomal activity.

Rapid, broad countermeasures sought against mystery infections

Scientists at the University of Washington are developing new methods to rapidly identify and treat emerging infectious diseases. The researchers aim to create a flexible arsenal against multiple pathogens, using machine-learning computer modeling and genomic analysis to discover ways to measure disease severity.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Scalable CVD process for making 2-D molybdenum diselenide

Researchers at Rice University and Nanyang Technological University have developed a scalable CVD process for producing one-atom-thick layers of 2D molybdenum diselenide, a highly sought semiconductor. The new method offers improved electronic properties compared to similar materials like graphene.

Common diabetes treatment could extend hypoglycemia

Researchers at the University of Adelaide found that a common diabetes treatment, GLP-1 in combination with insulin, can slow down stomach emptying after eating, leading to extended periods of hypoglycemia. This may result in increased health risks for people with type 2 diabetes.

Innovative, coordinated brain care could save billions of health care dollars

The innovative Healthy Aging Brain Center care model improves health outcomes and quality of care for older adults with cognitive impairment by reducing patients' behavioral and psychological symptoms. The model generates an annual net cost savings of up to $2,856 per patient, with potential nationwide cost savings of billions of dollars.

Unexpected results in cancer drug trial

Researchers at the University of Southampton found that a combination of cetuximab and chemotherapy was not effective in treating advanced bowel cancer that had spread to the liver. The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, suggests that this treatment approach may even accelerate cancer progression in some cases.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

The long reach of Alzheimer's

As the US population ages, Alzheimer's disease is projected to increase from 3 million in 2011 to over 10 million by 2050, affecting broad-based national policies. The annual cost of care for people over 70 is estimated at $157-$215 billion, with costs expected to reach $1.2-$1.6 trillion by 2040.

Deep, integrated genomic analysis re-classifies lower-grade brain tumors

Researchers analyzed genomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and identified three molecular clusters in lower-grade brain tumors. Tumors with IDH1/IDH2 mutations and co-deletion of chromosome arms 1p and 19q have a median survival of around eight years, while those without these mutations have a median survival of only 18 months.